AUGUST 27 • 2020 | 19
Michigan State
Legislature Approves
Plan for Schools
Plan allows for fl
exibility, local control.
O
n Aug. 15, the Michigan
state Senate approved a
bipartisan plan that pro-
vides flexibility for school dis-
tricts and for families as many
students prepare for the upcom-
ing school year. The Michigan
House of Representatives then
approved the plan on Aug. 17.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed
the bill.
The plan does not mandate
in-person classes, leaving the
decision to be made by the indi-
vidual school districts. However,
schools that decide to engage in
in-person learning must coordi-
nate with local health officials.
There is no mention of a mask
mandate in any of the bills.
Schools must reconfirm their
plans on whether to use in-per-
son learning, virtual learning or
a combination every 30 days.
The legislation defines atten-
dance as students who are phys-
ically in class and those who
participate virtually. It waives
the requirement to have 180
days or 1,098 hours of school
this year.
Districts are also tasked with
establishing “education goals”
for students by Sept. 15 and pro-
viding an “extended COVID-19
learning plan” by Oct. 1.
The requirements for the
extended learning plan are
to include “educational goals
expected to be achieved for the
2020-21 school year, a descrip-
tion of how instruction would
be delivered for the 2020-21
school year, and a requirement
that a district ensure two two-
way interactions occur between
a pupil and his or her teacher
during each week for at least
75% of pupils enrolled.
”
Benchmark assessments of
students are required within
nine weeks of the start of school,
with a second assessment deliv-
ered by the end of the year, in
order for districts to receive
funding.
Teachers are also required to
check in with their students reg-
ularly or the state may withhold
funding.
Funding for public schools
would be set at similar levels
as last year under the plan.
According to the bills, 75% of
funding would be based on a
district’
s student count for last
school year, with the remaining
25% based on the count this
year.
An additional $583 million
would be allocated to help
schools and educators during
the school year. The funding is
intended to help districts pro-
vide online learning and ade-
quate student assessments. More
than $50 million of that funding
is intended to be used as hazard
pay for teachers.
Parents should log on to their school
district’
s website to find out if students
will start virtually or in person.
CORRIE COLF STAFF WRITER
MEL DRYMAN
Raised in Detroit, Experienced in Arizona
Your Professional
& Dedicated
ARIZONA REALTOR
Mobile: (480) 239-8686
mel.dryman@azmoves.com
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